I support the Arts, Interior Design, Architecture, Literature, Artisans of all kinds; providing Inspiration and Beauty to all who visit.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

What now my Friends!?

Recently my long time friend Patricia of PVE Designposted a very poignant feature discussing her reasons for blogging and asking fellow bloggers to share our own stories and one benefit from blogging.

The image above conveys how writing The Arts by Karena has made me feel over the years. Expressive, inspiring, uplifting, a woman of strength, and vibrancy. (could not list just one!)All of you who have both read and contributed to my blog have given the gift of your art, creativity and insights. Sharing in this venue make me feel so honored! From your many comments, my features on the arts, unique visions and originality has made a difference to many.

After seeing a specialist and receiving test results, I have been diagnosed with a fairly rare disease, Gastroparesis. It is a life altering condition that although there is no cure, we are working on treating the symptoms, which can be severe.Over the years my mission has been to be a positive influence to all who visit, and I hesitated to write about this as I rarely discuss personal issues on social media. In this case I felt it is an important topic to share.This has made me realize more than ever how people we know who look perfectly healthy, may be dealing with challenges every day of their lives. My friends, we have been together through so many of the ebbs and flows over the years. I cannot begin to express how much each and every one of you mean to me.

49 comments:

Your blog is always such a beautiful place to visit and the first photograph is stunning!I'm sorry to hear you have been poorly, Karena...it's a relief when you know the diagnosis and can begin to put treatment/s in place to make you feel better...sending you much love xx

Karena, Prayers for you. I love your blog, it's always the one bit of beauty amidst the rubble of life. Chin up, prayers are headed your way that medicine helps, change of diet works, and that you have more good days than bad. Hugs..

Hi Karena, Thinking of you. I love your blog; it is a huge inspiration to so many of us. Sending prayers that this condition takes a hike soon. Just keep on putting one step in front of the other. Sending love. xoxo Mary

BLOGGING has BEEN so rewarding for me!I was spied in a museum yesterday by TWO different ladies who read my BLOG!!!!!!The feedback is ALWAYS SO GOOD TO HEAR.AS for YOU........WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP and make YOU SMILE.Off I go to click and SEE what it is that you have been diagnosed with.STAY POSITIVE!!!XX

It is always a treat to see a post of your Karena. I too love all the people and things I have learned from blogging. I hope you can manage the symptoms. I have IBS and reflux disease plus other things and I do know how vexing gastro things are to handle. I think not enough people talk about it though it is more common than we think. My husband is dealing with h pylori now. I'm the type who just wants that magic pill and not to have to do the hard work at diet etc. Keep us up on how you are doing as we do care.

I knew you were not feeling well. For a second there I thought you were going to tell us you were going to stop the blog-so relieved to see you are keeping on, it is such a wonderful blog. Wore my India Hicks scarf last week-it was fun and dramatic!

Oh Karena...I am so very sorry to hear about this. I know you have faced medical issues in the past and you have so bravely gotten through them....My thoughts and prayers are with you....and thank you for the beauty you present along with the education and inspiration....Take care of yourself...and let's hope that there will one day have a cure for this....in the meantime, we look forward to the joy of the arts that you bring to us.

karena, thank you for your courage in posting this, and my heart goes out to you. i too am feeling pulled to blog about this world of blogging, reflecting on what it has meant to me personally. as you may know, you are in very very good company. i have crohn's disease (invisible and in remission), arthritis, scoliosis (not so invisible), and BRCA2+ mutation (invisible and deadly). because of the trauma associated with my illnesses, i became quite interested in pain and suffering and how we might transform that pain into something beautiful. so behind the scenes of my blog and sometimes right out in the open, that has been my quest and motivation. i know you get it. cling to hope and to the truth that the soul is stronger than its surroundings. you will grow from this experience, and we will be here cheering you on. xox

The food at this venue was excellent, as was the service, many of our friends and family still rave about it. My wife and I highly recommend this venue Houston. We came here again for dinner and everything was again good and the service was extremely fast.

dearest karena, i am glad you shared as together we all share so much, like friends do. reading about this disease, i can only say i am sorry you have to endure this. my take is that you are a very strong and wise woman, i could go on, kind, inquisitive,........stay strong my friend. sending huge, warm hugsdebra

Stay strong, my friend. It is a long road and a life changing one. I had colon cancer in 2005, said I might not make it. I built another house, keptbusy. I am cancer free today turn 80 next April. You can make it, I ampraying for you. Yvonneps still have IBS

Best wishes to you, you can make through it, as we all are humans, hardly any of us has a perfect life. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 27, it has been part of my life for twenty five years now. From my spine to every joint in my hands all are affected today, some days are so painful I can't sleep at night, but with determination and support from the family I am moving on and living a normal life. You will be just fine, do not let this problem become an obstacle, just make it help you propel further in living a happy and meaningful life.

Karena, I am so sorry to see this! I hope that you are doing ok, and that they are treating the symptoms so that you can life a good life and enjoy your kids, travel and hobbies. I have missed seeing your posts.

Take care of yourself and thanks for sharing your beauty with the world.

Karena I have been such a sporadic blogger and an even more sporadic reader of late. Thinking of you and wishing you good health. You have always been such a great supporter of all of us. Please keep us posted.

dearest karena, i am just seeing this, and wish i could put my arms around you. i looked up your disease and am stunned, stay strong & as positive as you possibly can, as that is your nature. and i hope you come back every so often so we know how you are doing, many care

the joys of blogging for me is the connections made, you are one of the shining stars for me and someone i considered a friend

Karena, So sorry I didn't see this earlier. I am hoping you are doing well and taking care. You and your blog have been a spot of sunshine. You always have been one of the kindest and sweetest souls in the blogging world. I just want to send you good wishes and love. Hugs from me. xoxo Kim

I have enjoyed lasting online friendships with bloggers I have met, and have gained a very best design friend from it, whom I talk with daily. I have turned my sites on more production since my business has grown, than spending more time on the computer blogging. It was a huge launch for my design business and I am thankful for inspiration and for meeting people like you, Karena. My son in law has gastroparesis also. God bless you and prayers for your stable health. xo NancyPowell Brower Interiorswww.powellbrower.blogspot.com ( I see you have the old link on your sidebar)

For Heaven's Sake...I wondered why you haven't been posting on "the many blogs we both belonged to..." Well, I miss you, too. HOPEfully, your treatment is giving you some relief...I was diagnosed with "Achalasia" last year and it's been a "test"...at first when I read your last report I thought we might have the same condition (strikes one in 600-800 thousand...go figure...) Please know you have my positive thoughts. franki

Karena, I have been absent from the blog world for quiet a while so I just read your post. Hopefully you are still getting emails. I want you to know I was thinking of you and praying for you and your healing. And hoping you would contact me so we can keep in touch. xx Rié

I'm going around and visiting blogs from people I used to visit when I was home more and having my own heath issues. I hope you are doing OK and I'm sending you light and healing prayers.many blessings to you.<3

About Me

The intention of Karena's blog is to bring attention to the arts of every genre; bringing inspiration to those who read her features on Artists, Architects, Interior Designers, Jewelry, Fashion Designers and more. Email her artbykarenablog@gmail.com. She is living in the Kansas City area.